The Next Wave: Nos. 31-60

J. Meric/Getty Images

The following countdown of secondary hitting stars factors in age, injury, track record of success, positional versatility, positional scarcity, 2012 stats and trends and tangible upside for the 2013 season.

On the flip side, there are no assumptions of free agency—or offseason blockbuster trades—for any of these talents:

29: (SS) Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

But birth-certificate confirmation aside, can you really tell that he's at an age where once-productive players are typically gripping with the retirement phase of their lives?

From a defensive standpoint, Jeter may no longer have the fielding range of his 20s. But at the plate and on the bases he remains a dynamic forcefor the high-powered Yankees.

For example, Jeter notched 200 hits, 15-plus homers, .300-plus batting average and .800 OPS for the first time in three seasons. And once again, he's a prime candidate to finish the year with 100 runs and an OBP above .360.

It also doesn't hurt that Jeter occupies the scarcest position in fantasy: shortstop.

Put it all together and it would be improper to leave Jeter off this countdown on the simple bias of age.

28: (OF) Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers

Heading into his age-26 season, Austin Jackson may just be scratching the surface of his immense fantasy potential.

But even in this developmental stage, Jackson (.862 OPS) has already proven himself to be an annual lock for 12 steals, 15 homers, 60 RBI, 100 runs, 30 doubles, double-digit triples and an OBP flirting with .400.

Assuming full health next season, Jackson could experience an eight percent bump in the above stats, across the board.

Bottom line: Jackson is a blue-chip asset on a Tigers offense that features three under-30 fantasy stars in this countdown.

25: (OF) Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees

For the fantasy GMs who cannot support drafting power hitters that routinely bat below .250, this stanza isn't for you. Move on!

For those who are willing to live with Curtis Granderson's anemic batting average and declining steals pace as a means of securing elite power numbers (likely 40 homers and 100 RBI this season), this ranking's for you.

To clarify, when I use "anemic" characterize the pros/cons of landing Granderson some time in Round 4 next year, I'm referencing his .233 seasonal batting average—not the putrid .185 tally of the last 30 days.

Given the Yankees' plethora of prominent hitters, there's simply no excuse for Granderson toiling below .200 at any point this season, let alone pennant crunch time.

That said, with annual Yankee averages of 40 homers and 106 RBI, it's also too early to pigeonhole a versatile outfield talent who's only 31-years-old.

24: (3B) Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

Not even the mighty Miguel Cabrera can match Adrian Beltre's prodigious run of 15 homers, 27 RBI, a .374 batting average, .415 OBP and 1.344 OPS since Aug. 22.

In fact, it's probably on the short list of baseball's greatest 30-day tallies of the last 30 years.

So, now that we've established Beltre's rightful place in this countdown, is he ranked too high or too low entering next season?

At age 33, Beltre remains a viable threat for 30 homers, 90-plus runs, 95 RBI and a batting average in the realm of .305. But does he have the stuff to replicate his current 30-day numbers over a sustained period in 2013?

For now, that seems a little ambitious. Might as well hold tight in the mid-20s when projecting someone in their mid-30s.

23: (1B) Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

2012 Stats: 16 HR, 102 RBI, 69 Runs, 2 Steals, .290 BA

30-Day Numbers: 1 HR, 16 RBI, 6 Runs, 2 Steals, .245 BA

Skinny

I must be crazy to endorse a star in his 30s who was just traded from one of baseball's most schizophrenic clubs because of his large salary and not because he may have fronted a players-only coup against Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine (wink-wink).

But that's where we stand with Adrian Gonzalez, traditionally a good bet for 27 homers, 105 RBI and 95 runs when healthy.

Assuming Dodgers management spends lavishly on its batting lineup over the winter, Gonzo should prosper in 2013, his first full year with the new club.

Just don't expect any more campaigns of 200-plus hits or a .330 batting average. Those memories shall forever remain in Boston.

18: (2B) Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

Photo Credit: US PRESSWIRE

2012 Stats: 18 HR, 71 RBI, 98 Runs, 21 Steals, .264 BA

30-Day Numbers: 4 HR, 14 RBI, 15 Runs, 1 Steal, .259 BA

Skinny

By all accounts, Ian Kinsler will fall short of last year's otherworldly output in runs (121), but he's still an outside candidate for 110 by season's end, confirming his status as fantasy's second-most bankable run producer (behind Mike Trout).

Throw in Kinsler's regular capacity for 25 homers, 25 steals and a .350 OBP, and it's easy to see why he's my no-brainer choice for the No. 2 second baseman (behind Robinson Cano).

If Jones' stellar May numbers (10 HR, 22 RBI, 20 runs, .298 batting) serve as nothing more than a lucky snapshot of his absurd athletic potential, then I'll be hesitant to assign a Round 2 grade before 2014 roto drafts.

But if that 31-day tally represents a reasonable baseline of expectations for the next five seasons (Jones age range: 28-32), then we're in for a treat for the entire 2013 season.

16: (3B) David Wright, New York Mets

There's a certain amount of risk that goes with endorsing a fantasy star who's no longer a lock for 25 homers or 20 steals in a given season.

It also doesn't help when that corner-infield asset is buttressed by a handful of middling hitters.

And yet, prospective drafters should be all-in with David Wright next season, sometime in Round 2 or 3

Verdict: Wright's still a healthy bet for 20 homers, 90 RBI, 90 runs, 15 steals and an elite-level batting average (.340 or higher for April, May, June) that belies his mediocre protection in the Mets' lineup.

14: (OF) Alex Rios, Chicago White Sox

In hindsight, it's hard to believe Toronto put 28-year-old Alex Rios on free-and-clear waivers back in 2009. (Part salary dump, part shedding of a struggling asset).

But the Blue Jays' proverbial trash has become the White Sox' treasure, especially in 2012, with Rios on the brink of posting (or flirting with) career highs in triples, homers, RBI, batting average, slugging percentage and OPS.

Of equal importance, Rios has been Chicago's best player in the last month, a telltale sign that he's embracing his club's nip-and-tuck battle with Detroit for the American League Central title.

11: (OF) Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies

There are three reasons to support Carlos Gonzalez's vice-like grip on a Round 2 slot in roto drafts:

Without Troy Tulowitzki in the Rockies' lineup for a good chunk of this season, Gonzalez's monthly tallies in OBP haven't dipped below .317.

There are only so many five-category locks for 25 homers, 90 RBI, 90 runs, 20 steals and a .300-plus batting average.

His production in May (10 HR, 26 RBI, 26 runs, 4 steals, .351 BA, .417 OBP, 1.145 OPS) might rank as one of the 10 best months of any MLB player this season. It also came at a time when the Rockies needed a dominant presence to carry the club.

2: (1B/3B) Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

If only the Angels had thwarted Mike Trout's promotion to the major leagues for another full season, then maybe Miguel Cabrera would rank as the No. 1 asset for 2013.

After all, the first Triple Crown winner of the last 45 years (potentially) deserves a clear shot at MVP honors, right? Perhaps not.

Mini-rant aside, there's plenty to love about Cabrera heading into next season.

With averages of 36 homers, 118 RBI, 101 runs and a .324 batting average in five seasons with Detroit (2008-12), Cabrera has evolved into a virtual carbon copy of Albert Pujols (in his 20s).

Of similar importance, Cabrera still has room for growth at age 29, meaning that I'll be mildly chagrined if he doesn't tally 110 runs or bat .335 next year, when Victor Martinez (season-ending knee injury) returns to the Tigers lineup.